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PROCEDURE
ELECTRICAL SAFETY DOC ID PRO450 VERSION 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SMS DOCUMENT HIERARCHY ........................................................................2
2. PURPOSE..........................................................................................................2
3. SCOPE .............................................................................................................2
4. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS......................................................................2
5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................3
5.1 QUU EXECUTIVE ..................................................................................3
5.2 MANAGERS .........................................................................................3
5.3 SUPERVISORS/PICOW .........................................................................3
5.4 ESAG....................................................................................................3
5.5 WORKERS / ELECTRICAL WORKER ......................................................4
5.6 CONTRACTORS ...................................................................................4
6. RELATED DOCUMENTS ....................................................................................4
7. PROCEDURE ....................................................................................................4
7.1 OVERVIEW ...........................................................................................4
7.2 ELECTRICAL SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP ............................................5
7.3 ELECTRICAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................5
7.4 RISK ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK.........................................................5
7.5 AUDITING ............................................................................................6
7.6 CONSULTATION...................................................................................6
7.7 TRAINING AND COMPETENCY...........................................................6
7.8 DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING.......................................6
8. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................6
9. REVIEW ............................................................................................................6
10. FURTHER INFORMATION ...........................................................................6
2. PURPOSE
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) approach to
electrical safety at QUU controlled workplaces.
The overall purpose of this procedure is to ensure that risks associated with electrical safety are
adequately managed in order to minimise the risk of injury or harm to workers.
3. SCOPE
This SOP provides practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks associated with
electrical safety. This procedure applies to all QUU staff, including contractors and other persons on QUU-
controlled worksites.
6. RELATED DOCUMENTS
WHS Hazard and Risk Management Procedure (PRO363)
WHS Incident Reporting, Investigation and Escalation Procedure (PRO364)
MP71 - Electrical Safety Management Plan
LOTO SOP (PRO379)
WRAP (FOR553)
7. PROCEDURE
7.1 OVERVIEW
The Electrical Safety Management Plan (ESMP) documents a framework of requirements to ensure the
electrical safety of all persons involved with QUU’s operations. The ESMP applies throughout QUU
PRO450 Electrical Safety
Standard Operating Procedure
Confidential
4
workplaces and services. Employees, contractors and volunteers are required to abide by the
mandatory requirements of the Management Plan.
QUU will provide the required level of consultation to both staff and contractors to ensure all required
electrical safety arrangements and requirements are in place and effective. Consultation with other
parties will be undertaken in accordance with the QUU WHS Consultation and Communication
Procedure (PRO361).
7.2 ELECTRICAL SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP
The Electrical Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) will implement a Charter which will outline key requirements
for the Group with the main focus of providing oversight and maintaining the Electrical Safety Framework
to facilitate a safe working environment.
7.3 ELECTRICAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLAN
QUU will implement an ESMP which will outline how QUU will management electrical safety across the
business, including contractors. Key components outlined within the ESMP include, but are not limited to:
Risk Management such as:
o Electrical Risks
o Live Work
o Isolation Procedures
o Safety Equipment and Tools
o Test Equipment
o Test and Tagging
o Consultation
o Risk Methodologies
o Risk Register
o Risk Matrix
o Ongoing Safety Assessment
o Electrical Worker Register;
Contractor management;
Skills assessments and training;
Safety Standards, SWMS and Maintenance Procedures;
Communication systems;
Management of change;
Implementing, monitoring, reviewing and auditing;
Key Performance Indicators;
Investigation, recording and reviewing; and
Records management.
The ESAG will conduct periodic reviews of the ESMP which will occur as outlined in the WHS Consultation
and Communication Procedure (PRO361), with a review date prescribed within the ESMP.
7.4 RISK ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
QUU has defined electrical safety duties under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act) to ensure its
business is conducted in a way that is electrically safe. The Act describes duties for employers, workers
and the public in relation to electrical safety. Workers are required under the Act to comply with the
employer’s safe system of work.
8. REFERENCES
The following references contain information used in the preparation and development of this Electrical
safety SOP:
Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Queensland Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011
Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002
Queensland Electrical Safety Regulation 2013
9. REVIEW
The Electrical Safety SOP is to be reviewed every 2 years or earlier if:
There is an identified risk to business
A significant safety or serious injury event occurs
Incident investigation or audit results show that application of the standard fails to deliver the
required outcomes
There are changes in associated legislation
There is evidence that the standard is not having a positive impact on safety-related KPIs.